Double rack for water supply



June l 1926.

J. A. LEONARD DOUBLE RACK FOR WATER SUPPLY Filed March 23, 1925 2Sheets-Sheet l ZZV pf im 1 192@ m5355354 J. A. LEONARD DOUBLE RACK FORWATER SUPPLY Filed March 23, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheei 2 SALLES A.. LEOTAR),@E LENISTGH, MAINE, ASSGNOR TO S. TVIORGAIT SvH CONI- EANY, GF YORK,PENNSYLVANA, A CBPORTION GF ENNSYLVANIA.

DGUBLE RACK FOR WATER SUPPLY.

Application filed March 23, 1925.

rl`his invention relates to trash rac is for water power plants, and themain object of the same is to prevent iloating or waterloggedV timber,ice, branches ot trees and other dbris from clogging the passages or1water wheels or runners of turoines and other analogous installations.

The present invention is a development o that disclosed by myapplication executed of even dateherewith, Serial No. l,728.

The improvement in the present instance consists of a dual rackorganization ha f*- ing` supporting framework and comprising a. orw'arflrack and a. bottom rack, the whole organization diverging from an upperreduced cxtr mity where it is pivoted to operate similarly to a radialgate, and whereby a rack will always be disposed crosswise andvertically with relation to a water supply or flume, both when the dualrack organization is in normal lowered position and when raised toautomatically clean or relieve one of the racks from dbris acoumlationsby the action of the water. The remaining rac-k will also be cleanedwhen moved by simple means and there will always thus be a water passagefrom the water supply or flume relatively to an intake opening into aturbine chamber. TWith the improved dual rack structure embodying thefeatures oit the present invention a head gate of any suitable form willbe used and adapted to be opened to admit water to the turbine chamberand the wheel or runner, or be closed to exclude water 'from the wheelor runner during repairs or at other times when found necessary. Theimproved dual rack organization can be easily applied to and used inconnection with existing plants which are already provided with headgates, and it will be understood that the main object of the inventionis to provide two sets ot racks so structurally arranged and operativelydisposed that when one set is being cleaned the other set automaticallycomes into position to prevent the flow of trash or other debris intothe turbine chamber or the wheel or runner, particularly when the headgate is opened, or when it is desired to clean one ot the racks oi eachgroup without excluding water irom and shutting down the wheel or runnerof the turbine by the operation of the head gate. The improved dual rackstructure could also be used as an intake or Water supply Serial No.17,729.

for a mill or factory water-operated mechanism, either for condensingwater or for mill supply, and in which use the racks or screens would bemade up of smaller bars or rods in much closer spaced relation than inordinary installations, or the bars or rods could be replaced by anyother analogous structures that would permit the water to Howtherethrough.

As in my companion application hereinbefore reiteri ed to the sameadvantages cerne in connection with the improved dual rack structure asin the rack and gate structure oi' said application relatively ton'eventing lxed ice or so-called anchor ice 'from interterring with theoperation of the dual rack, in view of the fact that both racks arenormally entirely submerged below the frostline, and this submergence ofthe parts ot' the racks in the water below the t'rost line will preventice from freezing` to them, and as a consequence the ordinary troublesof anchor ice will be largely eliminated.

A preferred form of the improved dual rack organization is disclosed inthe accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a. cross section through aturbine installation and the masonry incident thereto together with theintake therefor, showing the improved dual rack` in transverse sectionin closed and raised positions respectively in full and dotted lines,and one means diagrammatically illustrated for controlling he movementot the combined device.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the improved dual rack organization shownraised so as to bring the normally lower rack upwardly into a flume orwater supply and also illust-rating the forward lower portion oi' themasonry or sill and a preferred form oit cleaning rake in section.

Fig. 8 is a detail horizontal section showing a part or" the masonry orconcrete structure and means for mounting the dual rack and controllingthe operation thereof through the medium of rails or guides, a part onlyoi the dual rack being illustrated.

Fig. et is an enlarged transverse vertical section showing a part oi'the dual rack organization and masonry, to particularly illustrate afixed rake for cleaning the normally bottom rack.

The numeral 5 designates masonry or concrete work, comprising a chamberor passage 6, which in the present insta ce is in the `term ot a scrollof well known type and serving as a means to supply the wheel or runner7 ot' a vertically disposed turbine S, which has the usual setting inthe masonry or concrete structure. This masonry or concrete structurealso has a dratttube tormed therein which discharges into a tailrace 10.On the masonry or concrete structure a super-structure or power house11- ot` any suitable form is adapted to be erected. The chamber orpassage G is adapted to communicate with an intake 11, and between thelatter and the said chamber or passage a head gate 12 is mounted to moveor slide vertically in a part of the masonry or concrete structureabove, any suitable means as 141- being employed to operate this gate.The intake 11 is located at the termination otl a water supply or tlume15 ot any well known or approved form, and the base ot the flume asuitable distance in advance oi the intake the masonry or concrete islormed with an upward projection or sill 1G, in rear of which is adepression or space 17 for a purpose which will be presently explained.Above the sill 16 the tlume has a covering 18, and in advance of themeans leltor operating the head gate is a canal or passage l) having afront inlet opening 20, which is controlled by a gate 21, raised andlowered through connections 22 and means 23 for operating the latter. Bymeans et' the canal or passage 19 water may be caused to tlow from theupper part ot the flume around the turbine installation, including theparts just speciied, and downstream Jfor cleaning purposes, or torelieve a rack structure, hereinafter explained, of an accumulation ottrash, dbris or other matter. The turbine installation including themasonry or concrete work, superstructure and the turbine as shown, arewell known structural features in the art and form no part of thepresent invention and are capable ot modilieation. lThis masonry orconcrete work and superstructure together with the turbine as shown maybe an equipment already instailed and to which the features of thepresent improvement may be applied.

rllhe essential features of the present invention consist of a dual rackorganization coniA prising a rear open trame Qi, ol suitableconstruction, a liront rack 25 and a lower or bottom rack K- preterablyot' arcuate form though capable ot modification in contour within thescope ot the invention. The rear trame 2i and the two racks are suitablybraced and strengthened and are coinipiosed et depending and cross beamsand 2? ot any suitable type and preferably ot I-l'iorm, and thisstructure as a whole is essentially triangular in torni. or divergestrom an upper apex or reduced extremity 28 to the lower :it intervalsthis structure will be braced, as at 27, and the details of arrangemento1c the beams or the components of the frame Q-it and the two racks 25and 26 are not essential and are capable ot a wide range ot variations,the principal object being to render the entire structure strong anddurable. The combined structure, or the frame 2 and racks 25 and QG,operates similarly to a radial gate, this unitary structure beingpivoted or 'lulcrumed at its upper apex or reduced extremity as at 29,adjacent to the opening or inlet 2() to the canal or passage 1). Theracks 25 and 26 will be composed ot' rods or bars 30 and 31 suitablyspaced, or wire gauze ol proper mesa may be substituted for the rods.The reas or bars will be crossed or reinforced and may be suitablysecured to the beams 2G and 27 in any preferred manner. jat a suitableelevation in advance or" the pivotal mounting ot the unitary dual rackorganization, including the frame Q4, a rod 32 extends outwardly tromthe sides ot the flume 15, and in the adjacent part ol the tlume sidesupright studs 33 are adapted to be imbedded in the masonry or concretework, as particularly shown by Fig. 3. The dual rack organization andthe trame 2l as a unit may be raised and lowered by a cable or analogousdevice 3st connected to the bottom portion otr the front. rack andoperated by a motor hoist 35 mounted on the covering 1S. However,instead ot this particular means for raising and lowering the dual rackstructure and lrame as a unit, the well known float organization may beemployed having an automatic operation well understood by those skilledin this art.

On the top of the sill 1G and having its rear edge projecting asulicient distance therefrom a lined rake IBG for ci ..ginjg` tte lowerrack 2G and clef i; the latter as it moves upwardly in an arcuate path.The unitary structure including the racks 25 and Q6 and the trame 21risalso guided in its radial arcuate movement by llanged tracks, rails orguards 3T secured on opposite sides of the llume close to the uprightstuds or posts 33, as clearly shown by Fig, 3, these tracks, rails orguards being of a curved form corresponding to the are ot movement ofthe unitary device and pret'- erably of L-shape with inwardly projectingflanges constructed with a j ilurality el openings or slots 23S engagedby adjusting bolts or pins which extend into the masonry or concrete andwhereby the said tracks, rails or guards may be moved inwardly towards,or outwardly from, the improved unitar f device and especially the rack2G. On the rear sides ot the inwardly projecting flanges ot the tracks,rails or guards 21T is a covering ot rubber or other analogous material40, which cooperates with angle or bottom rack 26.

lill) flanges 41 secured to the opposite sides of the rack 26. Thetracks, rails or guards 87 are adjustable to allow for irregularities inthe rack 26 and also provide close joints at the points where they arelocated, to prevent the passage ot any dbris or other accumulation thatwould be free to pass to the turbine installation it the said tracks,rails or guards were not used.

The operation of the improved combined or unitary raclrs and trame isvery simple. `When it is desired to clean the rack 25, it is raised orelevated to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. l and in fulllines in Fig. 2 by the cable or analogous device 3ft and motor-operatedhoist 35, or automatically by any well known type ot float construction,the said rack 26 being limited in its upward movement by engaging theVrod 32. When the rack 25 is thus raised the rack 2G is elevated in thefiume and provides a screen which prevents the iiow ot trash, dbris andother accumulations into the intake and chamber ot the turbine, andduring the downward movement of the racks. the normally lower raclr 26is cleaned of dbris cr trash that may have accumulated thereon duringits elevation by engagement with the .lined rake 36. After the rack 25has been raised, the gate 2l is opened and the water flows over the topof the said rack 25 through the inlet 2O into the canal or passage 19and at the same time washes all dbris or other accumulations from therack 25, the debris or other accumulations passing through the canal orpassage 19 around the turbine installation and downstream. During thisoperation or the elevation of the racks 25 and 26 and the frame 24, thehead gate l2 may be closed or remain open as desired, it being obviousthat when the said gate l2 is opened it will be unnecessary to shut downthe turbine, the latter being allowed to continue to operate and thewater supplied thereto will be liberated of all dbris and other matterby the elevated normally lower racl 26. Subsequent to cleaninoP the rack25 the gate 2l will be closed and the two racks 25 and '26 and trame asa unit will be lowered to normal position as shown in full lines by Fig.l. This operation may be repeated as often as found necessary and willresult in a great saving' ot time and labor in maintaining the racks ina cleanly condition as compared to the old methods of hand cleaning.

From the foregoing it will be understood that the essential feature ofthe present invent-ion as distinguished from that of my companionapplication hereinbefore noted is the embodiment in a radially operatingstructure of two racks which are operable to be alternately disposed inpositions for prevent-ing the passage of trash, dbris and otheraccumulations into the intake and supply chamber of a turbineinstallation. It should be further understood that the improved doublerack is adapted to be used in connection with any form ot' turbineinsti-.illation to which it may be applicable, and, as hereinbeforeindicated, it is proposed to use the improved structure in connectionwith the intake or water supply for a mill or factory or otherwater-operated mechanism. The rods or bars comprised in the rackstructure may be of any suitable dimensions and cross sectionalconfiguration.

It is obvious that changes in the propo"- tions, dimensions ard minordetails ot contruction may be made at will to adapt the improvedstructure to various installations without departing from the spirit orscope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is:

l. A device ot the class spcciicd comprising dual racks connected forunitary movement and operable for replacement. one by the other.

2. A device ot the class specified, consisting of dual racks connectedtor unitary movement and comprising a front rack and a lower rackoperable for alternate replacenient one by the other.

3. A device of the class speciiied, consisting ot dual racks connectedfor unitary movement and one ot arcuate form, the racks being operableto eiiect a replacement of one by the other.

l. The combination ot a water power installation having a flume with anupper overflow means, a dual rack organization pivoted at the upper'extremity thereof adjacent the overflow means and comprising a normalforward and a. bottom rack operable for replacement of one by the otherduring cleaning of one of the racks the forward rack being elevatable tothe overflow means to effect a cleaning of the said rack.

5. The combination of a water power installation Vhaving a flume with anupper overflow means, a dual raclr organization consisting of two racksand a trame connected for unitary movement and pivotally attached at theupper extremity thereof adjacent the overliow means, the dual rackorganization being of substantially triangular form and divergingtowards the lower extremity thereof where the bottom rack is provided,the forward rack being elevatable into line with the overflow meansl forcleaning the said rack.

6. The combination of a water power plant having an upper water supplyand a passage to carry a part of the water around the installationdownstream, a dual rack organization including a trame pivotallyconnected at its upper extremity immediately below the upper passage andembodying a front rack and normal bottom raclr, the

racks and trame bein-j connected tor mitary radial movement to disposeone ot the ra -l-:.-j in an elevated position in line with the saidpassage :tor automatieally cleaning` the saine and permit the matterremoved thererrom to pass oli" through the passage.

T. The Combination of a Water power planty having' a vvater sujplyvthune and intake andan upper overtlovv passage, a dual rack orgznization comprising a trent straight raelt and a bottom curved raeloperating as a unit whieh is pivotallv eonneetetl at the upper extremitythereot to a part ot' the poiver plant nm e hately belmv said overllowpassae tor radial movement. relatively to the intake to replace one raekby the other to bri t; the straight aeli upwardly into line with theovtwliovv passage tor the purpose ot automatically eleanine` thestraight 'ael; `l and tixetl means at the base of the Water supply torCleanimar the outer side ot the Curved rael: duringmovement ot thelatter.

The combination of a n'ater ovver plant Comprising nf'atewoperatedniet-hanism. a water Supply tlume and intake. a head gate, agate-controlled 1L assare at the upper rear portion of the supply thune.and a dual raek organization eomprlsing 'front straight and bottomeurved reeks seem-ed for unitary movement and pivotallf-,fv ronneetedatl the upper extremity thereof belen' and close to the gateeontrolledpassage for 'adial movement otl the front rack relatively to theaesae'e, the tvvo racks beiner operable t -it ot one. by the otherduring the automa ie Water eleaniiu;r ot the front straigg'ht rael;.'hen the latter is raised.

l. l vater power installation havingy Water supply mains and an intake.a 'aeli lt). n'at'ei power plant having water supply means, and anintake`r a `stop means across the upper portion of the Aneans, and adual rack organization V`rl for radial movement. relatively to meagrethe said stop means to limit the upl movement thereof, the one rat-l;means 'aised for automatic eleaninjtr by flowing' through the supplymeans, meam tor -arrying ottn the matter trom the elevated rael elear ofthe zr plant..

tcistimoirv WhereotE l have hereunto set and.

JAMES A. LEOARD.

